HAPPY NEW WEEK!
I hope everyone has a good week.
I know that many folks consider 1 February to be the first day of spring, and I think Monday is the exact mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox (when calculated by the astronomical dates). Where I live, we still face more winter cold, though. I 'm really longing for spring.
One good sign is that the skunk on my patch is awake and out of hibernation. (Skunks spend part of the winter in torpor, sort of a hibratory state.) Mine must have woke up in a grumpy mood. Twice this week, I awakened from a sound sleep to the stench of skunk spray seeping into my house. That skunk's spray has the WORST odor of any skunk I've ever encountered. I coughed and choked. LOL I'm hopeful, though, because she's awake and looking for a mate. Maybe we'll have an early spring!
Love and hugs to everyone.
DIANE – Thank you for a new week. In Aussieland change of season is 1 March. Never mind your Mrs Skunk, I am in a torpor & grumpy mood here! It is definitely still summer in Adelaide; the max temp is not expected below 30 C all week. Please send any ice or snow!!!
OG – Good to see you back. I hope your problems resolve soon.{{{HUGS}}}
RUSTY – Wonderful pics of Rochedale. Thank you.
This morn a surprise 8.30 am phone call. Dau & Trio were at the beach. Could I dog-sit Toby so they can stay longer (getting too hot for him). He kept a close eye on front door until they returned to lunch picnic style, sandy, salty & damp. So far today city has reached 40 C, here “only” 34 C.
I’ve been lurking past week. Highlight (?) has been an urgent visit to dentist when a niggling tooth worsened. He thinks it can be saved. Yucky mouthwash for a week.
Dau started her new school assistant job, seems to be coping OK. Quite a rush each day to drop off & pick up Trio as her school is further suburb than the Trio’s 2 schools. Of course everyone else is on the road at that time. The Trio sound quite pleased with new school year, new teachers, new learning.
Hallo all
Thank you Diane: Fingers crossed Ms Skunk is indeed a harbinger of an early spring - but tomorow is grondhog day, right? Maiybe Punxsutawney Phil will confirm an early spring.
AQ: Your daughter must be running nonstop with kiddies, a commuute and a new job.
Rusty: That's one spectacula town hall!!!
Good morning from a lovely bright and sunny day here in Suffolk. It was a pleasure to walk to Church and back. Now Im in for the day doing chores.
Diane - I hope your lady skunk finds a mate soon too!
AQ - survive the heat and look forward to cooler temps soon. I know only too well the trials of being a single Mum with 3 kids all to get to school and pickups, whilst holding down a full time job
OG - I sympatise with your situation and hope you all find a solution soon. It must be very hard on you all, especially J.
Rusty - great photos from Rochdale - you do have interesting outings.
Well if Accuweather can be believed - my part of Suffolk only has one day of rain for the whole of February - hopefully that means I can collect all the wet leaves from the garden and do some much needed weeding.
Have a good week all.
Thank you Diane. I like hearing the news of your critters but, I don’t envy you the smell of your skunk.
AQ - I don’t know how you keep going in that heat! Phew!!!
In contrast, I have been for my usual Sunday walk down a local lane with my friend. It was very nice when we set out. Crisp and dry and about 6 degrees. We got to the very bottom of the lane and it began to drizzle. I was quite wet by the time I got home but, fortunately, I had put my bobble hat on as my hair was a mess and needed washing!!!!! It was a good walk and we have set the world to rights again!!!
Back again, I went on the BBC News website after posting and there is a whole article and explanation about Punxsutawney Phil. How amazing as I had just read Annette’s comments. Now all is clear!!!
Annette in SoCal said:Punxsutawney Phil
Just had to look that up and the location given had us in fits of laughter!!
BBC link ... www.bbc.co.uk/.../c4g7vegwyz0t
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Actually managed to get in near the beginning this week! Last week overwhelmed me with practical stuff, but I am feeling a lot better now – one night I slept right through to 10:30 am!
Diane – thanks for the new week. Sorry about the odorous Mrs Skunk – but I hope she is announcing an early spring after all your recent weather.
AQ – thanks for mentioning Rusty’s pics from Rochdale – brought back memories of visits to Toad Lane Co-op! I would have missed her post if you hadn’t given it a mention! I didn’t know keeping the dog cool was part of Nanny duties – but very sensible. Hope the yukky mouthwash works – we need to save all the teeth we can at our age!
Harelady – can’t equal your sunshine, but at least it’s good enough that OH is working in the garden now – after having all been to church this morning. Hadn’t been for several weeks, and it has made me feel somewhat better.
Rusty – glad you could get the Sunday walk, despite drizzle.
Some updates from us.
Re J: he is about the same but may get more advice at the job centre appointment this week as the council wrote last week to terminate his “casual employment” – which has been non-existent for over a year! His mental health person recently directed him to a social group because he needs to meet people. Week one there was nobody there, workers nor clients, the next week he was ill, last week he was with two lady helpers and one other client – a woman. He still doesn’t know who they are supposed to be, or what agency runs them!
Re GD#1: Last Wednesday evening she was suddenly taken in for a bowel resection. After 5 hours surgery in the night, she expected to leave with a possibly temporary stoma, but the surgeon was pleased to decide he could join her up straight away. She is very weary and achey. I just hope this was the right decision at this time, her body and mind need a break from the indecision and trauma.
OG health – I was not as much recovered as I hoped, but have made further progress, with some unexpected improvement, such as better able to move around. No mental improvement – I am still annoyed and annoying!
The Robin – he has reverted to more normal behaviour, no more tapping on the window but is diligently patrolling his territory!
The storm – our area was all restored to normal power within a week. It was the rural parts which were bad with fallen trees etc; schools, shops etc were closed on just the one day and various sport and entertainment events cancelled. All back to normal now apart from a few folk still replacing lost fences, and the inevitable trampolines!
Diane: Arghhh. Six more weeks of winter is P Phil's prediction.
WendyBarter Poor Phil; yanked out of bed at dawn for his celebrity spot on TV. I understand his immediate location has certain connotations on that side of the Pond. :-)
OG: Can imagine GD's reaction to sudden surgery. Let's hope it takes care of most of the issue and that her plumbing is fully reconnected soon. Also that J does get substantive support soon. Glad you and EE are feeling somewhat better.
AQ: Nasty flooding up in Queensland....
Foggy here; rain on the way.
OG - I was so pleased to see you and to read all your news. I really don’t know what to say about the lack of help and support for J. I am afraid it might be a sign of the times and the deterioration of services in general due to lack of funding, bad management or whatever. Re your GD - it sounds as if they were able to do a good procedure. She will need time to recover now but I hope she feels much better soon. She will still have to be careful though. I know from my niece, that chrones symptoms never go away sadly. My gardener has arrived to do the annual chop down/trim of the bushes and hedges in my back garden. He only comes once a year and then I can manage the garden myself. He does like chopping though. He currently seems to be decimating my mahonia!!!! He does know what he is doing though! I am now going to go over the French homework I did the other day about sleep. The lesson is this afternoon.
OG Thanks for your update, all very confusing for J.
My OH is at Raigmore having yet another ultrascan, then a PSA test on Wednesday and awaiting a follow up scan on his lung and a new one on his head. It would seem as if this year is startling off the same was last year with many visits to hospital.